JP2006122673A - Connection apparatus and connection method for controlling ultrasound probe - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a connection apparatus and a connection method for controlling an ultrasound probe. <P>SOLUTION: The ultrasound probe (250) includes a first chamber (332), a second chamber (334), a sealing member (346) between the first and second chambers (334, 336) and flexible connection members (281, 340), respectively within the first and second chambers. The ultrasound probe (250) further comprises a rigid connection interface (345) forming at least a part of the sealing member (346) and connecting the flexible connection members (281) in the first chamber (332) with the flexible connection member (340) in the second chamber (334). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

The present invention relates generally to ultrasound systems and, more particularly, to probes for ultrasound medical imaging systems.

An ultrasound system generally includes an ultrasound scanning device such as an ultrasound probe having different transducers that can perform a variety of different ultrasound scans (eg, different imaging of the volume or body). The ultrasound probe is generally connected to an ultrasound system for controlling the operation of the probe. The probe includes a scan head having a plurality of transducer elements (eg, piezoelectric crystals), where the plurality of transducer elements may be arranged as an array. The ultrasound system drives the transducer elements in the array during operation, eg, volume or body scans, which can be controlled based on the type of scan being performed. The ultrasound system includes a plurality of channels for communicating with the probe. These channels can transmit, for example, pulses for driving the transducer elements and pulses for receiving signals from the transducer elements.
US Pat. No. 5,368,036

Volume probes that move the scan head mechanically during a scanning operation typically provide separate wet and dry chambers. Specifically, the scan head moves (eg, rotates) in a sealed wet chamber having an acoustic membrane around the scan head housing that contacts the patient during the scan. The wet chamber is generally filled with acoustic liquid that allows acoustic coupling during scanning (eg, transmission). The wet chamber is sealed from the dry chamber and may include control components for controlling the operation of the scan head in the wet chamber. The control component communicates with the scan head and controls the operation of the scan head, eg, a transducer element in the scan head. Communication between the control component and the scan head can be provided by various communication lines (eg, coaxial cables or other flexible cables). These communication lines traverse the seal between the wet and dry chambers, thus necessitating the use of sealing members to maintain a fluid tight seal between these chambers. Each required sealing member increases the possibility of failure, for example the possibility of liquid leaking into the dry chamber through one sealing member. In addition, these sealing members increase the complexity of the probe design and increase the cost of the probe. For example, additional components (eg, brackets) may be required between the wet and dry chambers to maintain the position and sealing engagement of the sealing member.

In one exemplary embodiment, an ultrasound probe is provided. The ultrasonic probe includes a first chamber, a second chamber, a sealing member between the first chamber and the second chamber, and a flexible connecting member in each of the first and second chambers. With. The ultrasonic probe further includes a rigid connection interface that forms at least a portion of the sealing member and connects the flexible connection member in the first chamber to the flexible connection member in the second chamber.

In another exemplary embodiment, a method for controlling an ultrasound probe is provided. The method includes communicating between at least one transducer array and a host system via a first flexible connection member and a second flexible connection member. The first flexible connection member and the second flexible connection member are connected by a rigid connection interface, the rigid connection interface having the at least one transducer array and the second flexible connection member therein. And at least part of the wall between the system cable and the dry chamber having the first flexible connecting member therein. A system cable is connected to the host system and a second flexible connection member is connected to the at least one transducer array. The method further includes controlling an element of the at least one transducer array by the communication.

An exemplary embodiment of an ultrasound system and method for controlling an ultrasound probe will now be described in detail. Specifically, an exemplary ultrasound system is first described in detail, followed by a detailed description of various embodiments of methods and systems for controlling an ultrasound probe. The technical effects of the various embodiments of the systems and methods described herein can improve the sealing arrangement between the chambers of the ultrasound probe and allow easier maintenance and assembly of the ultrasound probe. Including at least one of the effects.

FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of an ultrasound system 100 that can be used, for example, to acquire and process ultrasound images. The ultrasound system 100 drives an array of elements 104 (eg, piezoelectric crystals) within or formed as part of the transducer 106 to emit a pulsed ultrasound signal into the body or volume. including. Various geometries can be used, and one or more transducers 106 can be provided as part of a probe (not shown).
The fired pulsed ultrasound signal can be used to generate density interfaces within the body, such as blood cells, muscle tissue, and / or
Or it produces an echo backscattered from the structure back to the element 104. This echo is received by receiver 108 and provided to beam shaper 110. The beam shaper performs beam shaping of the received echo and outputs an RF signal. This RF signal is then processed by the RF processor 112. The RF processor 112 can include a complex demodulator (not shown) that demodulates the RF signal to form IQ data pairs representing the echo signal. This RF or IQ signal data can then be sent directly to the RF / IQ buffer 114 for storage (eg, temporary storage).

The ultrasound system 100 further includes a signal processor 116 that processes the acquired ultrasound information (ie, RF signal data or IQ data pairs) and prepares an ultrasound information frame for display on the display system 118. The signal processor 116 is adapted to perform one or more processing operations on the acquired ultrasound information based on a plurality of selectable ultrasound modalities. The acquired ultrasound information may be processed in real time when an echo signal is received during the scanning session. In addition or alternatively, during the scanning session, ultrasound information may temporarily store the RF / IQ buffer 114, and this ultrasound information may be processed in a non-real-time live or offline operation. .

The ultrasound system 100 can continuously acquire ultrasound information at a frame rate exceeding 50 frames per second, which is approximately the recognition speed of the human eye. The acquired ultrasound information is
It is displayed on the display system 118 at a slower frame rate. An image buffer 122 may be included to store processed frames of acquired ultrasound information that are not scheduled to be displayed immediately. In an exemplary embodiment, the image buffer 122 has sufficient capacity to store at least a few seconds worth of ultrasound information frames. These ultrasonic information frames can be stored by a method that can be easily taken out according to the acquisition order or acquisition time. Image buffer 122 may include any known data storage medium.

User input device 120 can be used to control the operation of ultrasound system 100. User input device 120 may be a suitable device and / or user interface for receiving user input, for example, to control the type of scan or the type of transducer used for the scan.

FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of another exemplary embodiment of an ultrasound system 150 that can be used, for example, to acquire and process ultrasound images. The ultrasound system 150 includes a transducer 106 that communicates with a transmitter 102 and a receiver 108. The transducer 106 sends ultrasound pulses and receives echoes from structures inside the scanned ultrasound volume 152. The memory 154 is a receiver 108 derived from the scanned ultrasound volume 152.
Store ultrasonic data from. Scanned ultrasound volume 152 may include, for example, 3D scanning, real-time 3D imaging, volume scanning, scanning with transducers with positioning sensors, freehand scanning using voxel correlation techniques, 2D scanning, arrays, among others. It can be obtained by various techniques, including scanning with a matrix of transducers.

The transducer 106 is moved along a straight path, an arcuate path, etc., during which a region of interest (ROI) is scanned. At each straight or arc position, the transducer 106 obtains a plurality of scan planes 156. The scan plane 156 is collected for a thickness, such as from a group or set of adjacent scan planes 156. Scan plane 156 is stored in memory 154 and then sent to volume scan converter 168. In some exemplary embodiments, transducer 106 obtains lines instead of scan plane 156 and memory 154 stores the lines obtained by transducer 106 rather than scan plane 156. The volume scan converter 168 receives a slice thickness setting from the slice thickness setting control 158 that identifies the thickness of the slice to be generated from the scan plane 156. Volume scan converter 168
Generates one data slice from a plurality of adjacent scan planes 156. The number of adjacent scan planes 156 that are obtained to form each data slice depends on the thickness selected by the slice thickness setting control 158. This data slice is stored in the slice memory 160 and accessed by the volume rendering processor 162.
Volume rendering processor 162 performs volume rendering on the data slices.
The output of the volume rendering processor 162 is provided to a video processor 164 that processes this volume rendered data slice and displays it on the display device 166.

The position of each echo signal sample (voxel) is geometrically accurate (ie 1
Note that it is defined in terms of the distance from one voxel to the next) and one or more ultrasound responses (and the values obtained from this ultrasound response). Suitable ultrasound responses include gray scale values, color flow values, and vascular Doppler (angio D).
operator) or power Doppler information. It should be noted that the ultrasound system 150 can further include a user input or user interface for controlling the operation of the ultrasound system 150.

Note that the ultrasound systems 100 and 150 may include additional components or different components. For example, the ultrasound system 150 may include a user interface or user input 120 (shown in FIG. 1) for controlling the operation of the ultrasound system 150, including scan parameters, scan mode changes, and the like to control patient data input. Can be included).

FIG. 3 shows an object 200 that can be acquired by the ultrasound systems 100 and 150.
An exemplary image of is shown. The object 200 includes a volume 202 defined by a plurality of fan-shaped cross sections in which the radial sides 204 and 206 diverge from each other at an angle 208. Transducer 1
06 (shown in FIGS. 1 and 2) electronically focuses the ultrasound and guides it longitudinally along an adjacent scan line in each scan plane 156 (shown in FIG. 2). And scans adjacent scan planes 156 by electronically or mechanically focusing and guiding the ultrasound laterally. Scan plane 1 obtained by transducer 106
56 is stored in the memory 154 as shown in FIG. 2 and is scan-converted from spherical coordinates to Cartesian coordinates by the volume scan converter 168. A volume including a plurality of scan planes 156 is output from the volume scan converter 168 and stored in the slice memory 160 as the rendering area 210. The rendering area 210 in the slice memory 160 includes a plurality of adjacent scan planes 156.

The rendering region 210 can be defined by the operator to have a slice thickness 212, a width 214, and a height 216 using a user interface or input.
Volume scan converter 16 by slice thickness setting control 158 (shown in FIG. 2)
8 (shown in FIG. 2) and the slice thickness parameter can be adjusted to form a rendering region 210 of the desired thickness. The rendering area 210 defines the volume rendered portion of the scanned ultrasound volume 152. Volume rendering processor 162 accesses slice memory 160 and renders area 210.
Render along the slice thickness 212.

Reference is now made to FIGS. In operation, a slice having a predetermined substantially constant thickness (also referred to as rendering region 210) is determined by slice thickness setting control 158 and processed by volume scan converter 168. Echo data representing the rendering area 210 (shown in FIG. 3) can be stored in the slice memory 160. This predetermined thickness is generally from about 2 mm to about 20 mm, although depending on the application and the size of the area being scanned, a thickness of less than about 2 mm or greater than about 20 mm may be appropriate. Slice thickness setting control 158 can include a control member such as a rotatable knob having discrete or continuous thickness settings.

Volume rendering processor 162 projects rendering region 210 onto image portion 220 of one or more image planes 222 (shown in FIG. 3). Following processing at the volume rendering processor 162, the pixel data of this image portion 220 may be processed by the video processor 164 and then displayed on the display device 166. The rendering area 210 can be placed in any position and in any direction within the volume 202.
In some situations, it may be advantageous to limit the rendering area 210 to a small portion of the volume 202, depending on the size of the area being scanned.

FIG. 4 shows a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of an ultrasound probe 250 that can be used with ultrasound system 100 or 150. The ultrasonic probe 250 includes a transducer array / backing stack 252 (hereinafter “transducer array 252”).
), A transducer flex cable 254, which can be formed as a scan head cable, and a plurality of processing boards 256 that support processing electronics. Processing board 2
56 are each a position memory 258 (geometry RAM, encoder R as described below).
AM, location register and control register) and signal processor 26
0 can be included. In addition, a location memory controller 262 (eg, a general purpose CPU, microcontroller, PLD, etc.) may be provided that includes a communication interface 264.

The communication interface 264 establishes data exchange with the host system 266 via a communication line 268 (eg, a digital signal line) and a system cable 270. further,
In one exemplary embodiment, the system cable 27 is used to transmit the transmit pulse waveform to the transducer array 252 and transmit the received signal to the host system 266 after beamforming.
0 includes a coaxial cable 272 connected to the processing board 256. Probe 250 further includes
A connector 274 that connects the probe 250 to the host system 266 may be included.

A clamp 276 may be provided to hold the transducer flex cable 254 against the processing board 256. The clamp 276 thereby helps to establish an electrical connection between the transducer flex cable 254 and the processing board 256. Clamp 2
76 may include dowel pins 278 and bolts 280, although other embodiments are suitable.

As described in detail below with respect to FIG. 5, the transducer array 252 is coupled to a backing stack. The transducer flex cable 254 provides an electrical signal connection through the backing stack. In one exemplary embodiment, 42 each having 50 signal combinations.
A transducer deflection cable 254 is provided. These transducer flex cables 254 thus support transmit and receive signal connections to as many as 2100 transducer elements in the transducer array 252. However, a smaller number may be used. For example, each processing board 256 can be coupled to six transducer flex cables 254, thereby including signal connections for 300 transducer elements.

The processing board 256 can be formed of a flexible material such as polyimide or polyester, like the flexible cable 254. The processing board 256 includes processing electronics for the transducer array 252 that includes a signal processor 260 that performs beam shaping on the receive apertures of the transducer array 252.

Each signal processor 260 can, for example, process four receive apertures defined at selected spatial locations on the transducer array 252. For example, the receiving aperture has a four-element column under a five-element column, a three-element column under the four-element column, and a two-element column under the three-element column. The row of elements can be a triangular aperture containing 15 acoustic transducer elements with a row of one element located below the two rows of elements. Furthermore, each of the processing boards 256 is 5
One signal processor 260 may be included. Thus, in the receive direction, each processing board 256 can process 20 receive apertures each containing 15 acoustic transducer elements.

For each ultrasound beam, a position memory controller 262 connects to a respective position memory 258 on each processing board 256 via a digital signal line 273 (eg, carried by a separate flex cable). The location memory controller 262 communicates spatial location information for each receive aperture processed by the signal processor 260 on the processing board 256 to each location memory 258. Digital signal line 273
For example, a clock line for each processing board 256, each processing board 25
6 serial command data lines, 2 data lines connected to each processing board 256 (a total of 14 data lines), output enable for one or more signal processors 260, and test signals .

The position memory controller 262 communicates with the host system 266 over a digital signal line 273, which can form part of a synchronous serial port, for example. To that end, the communication interface 264 and the digital signal line 273 may implement a low voltage differential signal interface including, for example, a coaxial cable having a grounded shield / center signal wire.
The location memory controller 262 includes a cache memory 275, for example, a block of 1-8 megabytes of static random access memory (SRAM).

FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a transducer array 252. The transducer array 252 includes a piezoelectric ceramic 302 that converts electrical energy into acoustic energy and acoustic energy into electrical energy. The piezoelectric ceramic 302 is located at the center of the transducer array 252. On the signal side, a piezoceramic 302 is attached to a z-axis backing block 304 consisting of alternating layers of transducer flex cable 254 and a sound absorbing material 308 coupled to the solid backing block 304.

The backing block 304 is cut in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the transducer flex cables 254, thereby exposing the ends of the circuit traces 306 of the individual transducer flex cables 254 to provide a high density signal connection. The top surface of the ceramic 302, the conductive inner acoustic matching layer 310 (eg, metal-filled graphite such as antimony-graphite), and the backing block 304 is diced in a single operation to provide each flex circuit in the transducer flex cable 254. A separate acoustic transducer element 312 having a center is formed on the trace 306. Thus, there is a signal plane 313 on the z-axis backing block 304.

Each circuit trace 306 contacts the lower end of one transducer element 312, the signal side. Outer acoustic matching layer 31 that can be formed from plastic
6 is covered with a ground metal layer 314. This matching layer 316 is attached to the top surface of each element 312 to form a ground connection across this surface of the transducer array 252. The outer matching layer 316 is partially diced to separate and separate elements, thereby improving the allowable angle of the transducer element 312. However, in one exemplary embodiment, this dicing does not penetrate to the ground metal layer 314.

Electrical ground connections to each transducer element 312 are made through the outermost element 318 of the transducer. A wrap-around ground 320 on the surface of the ceramic 302 is also provided. A thin silicone protective facing may be applied after the transducer array 252 is attached to the scan head or head shell.

It should be noted that various transducer arrays with various interconnections can be used as desired or required (eg, based on probe type or application). For example, FIG. 5 shows an array that requires a very high density electrical interface (
For example, an interconnect configuration suitable for a two-dimensional (2D) array is shown. However, other types of arrays, such as one-dimensional (1D) arrays, do not require this high density electrical interface, and other interconnect configurations may be more appropriate. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, in a 1D array application, the 1D array includes a single transducer flex cable 254 with circuit trace 306 contacting elements of transducer array 252. Because the circuit traces 306 on the transducer flex cable 254 are positioned adjacent to each other, the elements of the transducer array 252 are positioned adjacent to each other. Similar configurations with a single transducer flex cable 254 may be used, for example configurations with a 1.25D, 1.5D or 1.75D array.

FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate an exemplary embodiment of a probe 250, specifically a volumetric imaging probe, having a transducer array 252 in communication with a host system 266 (shown in FIG. 4). The probe 250 includes a first chamber 332 (eg, a dry chamber)
And a housing 330 having a second chamber 334 (eg, a wet chamber). The first chamber 332 and the second chamber 334 may be formed as a single unit (eg, a single structure) or as separate units connected together (eg, a modular design). Also good. In an exemplary embodiment, the first chamber 332 includes a drive means for mechanically controlling the transducer array 252 and a communication means for electrically controlling the transducer array 252 therein or a dry chamber or An air chamber. The drive means generally includes a motor 336 (eg, a stepper motor) and a gear arrangement 338, such as a two-stage gear arrangement with belt drive and rope drive. In order to communicate with the host system 266 to drive the elements of the transducer array 252 (eg, selectively activate the elements of the transducer array 252), the communication means typically includes a system cable 270 and one or several communications. And a connecting member 281 (for example, two interconnected flexible printed circuit boards) having a line and interconnected to the system cable 270 by a connection interface 283.

It should be noted that although the drive means and communication means are described herein as having specific components, these means are not so limited. For example, the drive means can have another gear arrangement and the communication means can have another connection member or transmission line.

In the exemplary embodiment, second chamber 334 includes transducer array 252.
A wet chamber (e.g., an acoustic chamber therein) including transducer drive means for moving (e.g., rotating) and transducer control means for selectively driving elements (e.g., piezoelectric ceramic 302) of the transducer array 252. Chamber with liquid). The transducer drive means is typically a scan head housing 362.
, For example, supported on a bracket (not shown) and including a drive shaft 360 that operates to move the transducer array 252 as part of the scan head 364 when driven by drive means. Further, a support member (not shown) for supporting the scan head housing 362 may be provided. For example, a bias spring 366 may be provided so that an appropriate tension is applied to the drive means and the transducer drive means. Note that an acoustic membrane 368 formed as part of the housing 330 and surrounding the scan head housing 362 may be provided.

The transducer control means generally connects a connection member 340 (eg, four scans) having one or several communication lines that connect the system cable 270 and the transducer array 252 via the connection member 281 and provide communication therebetween. Head flexible printed circuit board). In one exemplary embodiment, connecting members 281 and 340 are each 1
One or several flexible printed circuit boards 343 and 344, and connecting members 281 and 340 are interconnected via a rigid connection interface 345 such as a rigid printed circuit board, as will be described in detail later. However, the connecting members 281 and 340 are
It should be noted that any suitable material and / or component can be formed as desired or required. In general, the connecting members 281 and 340 are formed to have flexibility / rigidity as desired or required based on, for example, the type of probe, position within the probe, or application. For example, the elastic modulus or average elastic modulus of the connecting members 281 and 340 is determined by the wiring layout of the printed circuit board portion that is a result of the distribution of the metal layer on the printed circuit board and can be selected based on the probe type. be able to. Thus, the flexibility / stiffness of the material of the connecting members 281 and 340 can be varied as desired or required. In general, the connection member 281 is formed so as to provide sufficient stability for connection with the system cable 270 and at the same time avoid other components (eg, the motor 336). In general, the connecting member 340 ensures sufficient flexibility and / or operation of the probe (eg, to ensure proper and reliable interconnection between the rigid connection interface 345 and the movable transducer array 252). And formed to provide durability.

In one exemplary embodiment, the rigid connection interface 345 is, for example, the first chamber 3.
Sealing member 34, such as a wall (eg, a fluid impermeable wall) between 32 and second chamber 334
6 is constituted. The rigid connection interface 345 may be formed integrally with the sealing member 346 or sealed using, for example, an adhesive sealing (eg, epoxy resin) or other sealing member (eg, O-ring) as shown in FIG. The member 346 may be sealingly engaged. In these exemplary various embodiments, the rigid connection interface 345 and the sealing member 346 are a single unitary structure. Additional members (eg, clamps) connected to the sealing member 346 to provide mechanical stability to withstand mechanical loads that may be applied to the rigid connection interface 345 and to reduce pressure on the sealing member 346 Note that a frame 391) having 393 may be provided. The mechanical load may be, for example, a flexible printed circuit board 344 or an interconnect member 34.
8 may be added to the rigid connection interface 345. The mechanical load can be, for example, the motion of the flexible printed circuit board 344 described herein, in particular,
Pressure difference between the chamber 332 and the second chamber 334 and / or the interconnect member 3
This may be caused by the tension of the system cable 270 guided through 48 to the rigid connection interface 345.

At a first portion 350 (eg, a first end) of the connection member 340, the connection member 340 is connected to the rigid connection interface 345, which is connected to the interconnection member 348.
It is connected to the connection member 281 via (for example, a board-board connector). Connecting member 34
At zero second portion 352 (eg, the second end), connection member 340 is connected to transducer array 252. Note that additional connectors or different connectors may be used to connect to the first portion 350 and the second portion 352. Thus, connection members 281 and 340 provide communication between transducer array 252 and host system 266 via system cable 270. In addition, additional or different control members may be provided, such as multiplexing circuitry connected to the transducer array 252 to control the operation of the elements of the transducer array 252.

It should be noted that although the transducer drive means and transducer control means are described herein as having specific components, these means are not so limited. For example, the transducer driver can have another shaft arrangement and the transducer controller can have another control circuit or transmission line. Further, it should be noted that additional or different components connected to the probe 250 may be provided as needed or desired and / or based on the particular type and application of the probe 250. For example, a lens may be provided that covers the transducer array 252 based on the type of probe 250.

In one exemplary embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10, the first chamber 332 and the second chamber 334 are separated by a sealing member 346 (eg, a fluid impervious wall), and the rigid connection interface 345 is a sealing member 346. Part of Sealing member 346
Provides a liquid tight sealing arrangement between the first chamber 332 and the second chamber 334;
The sealing member 346 may be integrally formed as a part of one of the first and second chambers 332 and 334. For example, one or more slots or openings 370 through which a portion of the drive means (eg, a rope-driven rope portion) can be threaded.
May be provided as part of the sealing member 346. In order to ensure proper sealing between the first chamber 332 and the second chamber 334, the slot or opening 370 is sealed, for example with a sealing gasket, epoxy resin or other suitable sealing member. Note that the connecting member 281 may include a connector end 271 for connecting to the interconnect member 348.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 11, the transducer array 252 is connected to the system cable 270 via the connecting members 281 and 340. System cable 270 then connects to host system 266.

Connection members 281 and 340 allow communication with elements of movable transducer array 252 and control of the operation of these elements (eg, selective driving of elements of transducer array 252), as shown in FIGS. In addition, connection members 281 and 340, along with rigid connection interface 345, provide an improved sealing arrangement and a more modular probe design (eg, two chambers can be removably connected). Note that the transducer array 252 may be configured to operate in various modes such as, for example, 1D, 1.25D, 1.5D, 1.75D, and 2D modes of operation.

While the invention has been described in terms of various specific embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the claims. Further, the reference signs in the claims are merely used for easier understanding of the present invention and are not intended to narrow the scope of the present invention. The matters described in the claims of the present application are incorporated into the specification and become a part of the description items of the specification.

1 is a block diagram of an ultrasound system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an ultrasound system according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an image of an object obtained by the system of FIGS. 1 and 2 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a block diagram of an ultrasound probe according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention communicating with a host system. FIG. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an exemplary transducer stack including an array of transducer elements that can be used in the ultrasound probe shown in FIG. 4. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of another exemplary transducer stack that includes an array of transducer elements that can be used in the ultrasound probe shown in FIG. 4. 1 is an elevational sectional view of a probe according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. FIG. 8 is an elevation taken along line 8-8 of FIG. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a probe according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a partial elevational cross-sectional view of an ultrasound probe according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention showing a rigid connection interface that forms part of a wall between chambers of the ultrasound probe. FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the connection arrangement | positioning of the ultrasonic probe based on illustrative embodiment of this invention. 1 is an elevational sectional view of an ultrasound probe according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention showing a movable scan head. FIG. 1 is an elevational sectional view of an ultrasound probe according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention showing a movable scan head. FIG. 1 is an elevational sectional view of an ultrasound probe according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention showing a movable scan head. FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Ultrasonic system 102 Transmitter 104 Transducer element 106 Transducer 108 Receiver 110 Beam shaper 112 RF processor 114 RF / IQ buffer 116 Signal processor 118 Display system 120 User input device 122 Image buffer 150 Ultrasound system 152 Ultrasonic volume 154 Memory 156 Scan plane 158 Slice thickness setting control 160 Slice memory 162 Volume rendering processor 164 Video processor 166 Display device 168 Volume scan converter 200 Object 202 Volume 204 Radial side 206 Radial side 208 Angle 210 Rendering area 212 Slice thickness 214 Width 216 Height 222 Image plane 250 Ultrasonic probe 252 Transducer array / Backing stack 254 Transducer flexible cable 256 Processing board 258 Position memory 260 Signal processor 262 Position memory controller 264 Communication interface 266 Host system 268 Communication line 270 System cable 271 Connector end 272 Coaxial cable 273 Digital signal line 274 Connector 275 Cache memory 276 Clamp 278 Dowel pin 280 Volts 281 Connection member 283 Connection interface 302 Piezoceramic 304 Z-axis backing block 306 Circuit trace 308 Sound absorbing material 310 Conductive inner acoustic matching layer 312 Acoustic transducer element 313 Signal plane 314 Ground metal layer 316 Outer acoustic matching layer 318 Outermost acoustic matching layer 318 Transducer element 20 Wrap Around Ground 330 Housing 332 First Chamber 334 Second Chamber 336 Motor 338 Gear Arrangement 340 Connection Member 343 Flexible Printed Circuit Board 344 Flexible Printed Circuit Board 345 Rigid Connection Interface 346 Sealing Member 348 Interconnection Member 350 Connection Member 340 First part 352 Second part of connecting member 340 360 Drive shaft 362 Scan head housing 364 Scan head 366 Bias spring 368 Acoustic membrane 370 Slot or opening 391 Frame 393 Clamp

Claims (10)

A first chamber (332);
A second chamber (334);
A sealing member (346) between the first chamber and the second chamber;
Flexible connecting members (281, 340) in each of the first and second chambers
When,
A rigid connection interface (345) that forms at least a portion of the sealing member and connects the flexible connection member in the first chamber to the flexible connection member in the second chamber; Ultrasonic probe (250). The sealing member (346) includes the first chamber (332) and the second chamber (3).
34. The ultrasound probe (250) of claim 1, comprising a wall between (34). The first chamber (332) is a dry chamber, and the second chamber (334)
The ultrasound probe (250) of claim 1, wherein is a wet chamber. The ultrasound probe (250) of claim 1, wherein each of the flexible connecting members (281, 340) includes at least one flexible printed circuit board (343, 344). The ultrasound probe (250) of claim 1, wherein the rigid connection interface (345) comprises a rigid printed circuit board. The ultrasound probe (250) of claim 1, wherein the rigid connection interface (345) is integrally formed with the sealing member (346). The ultrasound probe (250) of claim 1, wherein the rigid connection interface (345) is in sealing engagement with the sealing member (346). The flexible connecting member (281) in the first chamber is connected to a system cable (270).
The ultrasound probe (250) of claim 1, further comprising a connection interface (283) in the first chamber (332) that connects to the first chamber (332). The ultrasound probe (250) of claim 1, wherein the sealing member (346) includes at least one opening (370). Drive means for mechanically controlling at least one transducer (252); and communication means for electrically controlling the at least one transducer, wherein the communication means is a first flexible connecting member. A dry chamber (332) containing (281);
A wet chamber (334) having a second flexible connection member (340) connected to the first flexible connection member by a rigid connection interface (345);
The ultrasonic probe (250), wherein the rigid connection interface forms at least part of a wall between the wet chamber and the dry chamber.

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